Outdoor Adventures

Category Archives: Gear Care

Take care of washing expensive hiking clothing by using products meant for the job, like Nikwax Wool Wash.

I’m Just back from a big trip with my friends up in New York’s Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness, so now it’s time to unpack my camping and backpacking gear and start washing everything.

I have invested a lot in high performance synthetic and wool clothing, and when washing expensive hiking clothing, I am really careful to keep its functionality. This gear must be both warm and breathable, and must wick moisture away from my skin so that I stay dry and comfortable. I find that washing this type of gear with regular detergents reduces its performance. In particular, I find that after washing a nice synthetic shirt with regular detergents, the garment will start to feel clammy when I wear it.

Most people who chose to partake in backpacking will eventually need to know a thing or two about backpack repair. Bringing your pack into the local shop for patching up is costly, and isn’t really a practical option while you’re out in the field. Having a few simple items in your repair kit and a few basic skills in your head can go a long way.

A few weeks ago while out on a day hike, I discovered a small tear forming on the bottom of my pack. It concerned me, so when I got home, I got right to fixing it.